Hobbyhorse



June 18, 1935. F. G. DENNISON HOBBYHORSE 2 Sheets-Sheet l Filed April 7,1952 MSM June 18, 1935. F. G. DNNISON HOBBYHORSE Filed April 7, 1932 Y 2Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented June 18, 1935 lPATENT oF'El-CE `IIOBBYI'IORSElFrank G. Denni`son ,Newtn, Mass. Application April 7, 1932, Serial No.603,819 5 claims. (ci. 27a-53) l The present inventionrelates tohobby-horses,

and particularly :toQhobby-horses c'apable of progressing hobby-horsesfbut the constructions so far devised Ahave* all had inherent thedisadvantage of failing to simulatethe movement of a horse. Operatingbymeans of rollers or rockers, or with" dragging'hind legs, noneA of themhas achievedlthe action `of the horse it represents.

Accordingly, it is the principal object of the present invention toproduce a progressing hobby-horse which simulates the. action of ahorse.

To the accomplishment of thisobject and such others as may hereinafterappear, the variousv features of the present invention reside in certainconstructions, combinations, vand arrangements of parts hereinafter`described and then set forth'in the appended claims which possessadvantages readily apparent to those skilled in theart. The Variousfeatures of the present invention will be understood readily from`aninspection of the accompanying drawings illustrating the best form ofthe invention atL present devised, in`

which, f y Y Figure 1 is a View in left side elevation of thehobby-horse; l c

Fig. 2 is a view in longitudinal sectional elevation; e I I f' with' thesaddle removed; Y

Fig. 4 is a detail view in sectional plan taken on the line 4`4 of Fig.2

Fig. 5 is a detail view in sectional plan taken cn the line 5-5 of Fig.2, and l Fig. 6 is a detail View in sectional plan taken on the line 6-6of Fig.A 1. l

In the illustrated embodiment of the present invention, the hobby-horseis provided with a body portion composed of two side members I and 8`(Fig. 3), which may be made of wood, three-ply wood furnishing adequatestrength,

and cut to represent the generalv shape of ay 'horses head and body,(Figs. 1 andv2) The side members I and 8 are spaced apart to form arigid frame by means of cross bars 9, I0, II, I2 and I3. Inasmuch as thecross barsl I0, II, I2, and I3 also serve as stops limiting the movementof the legs, as 'will be explained hereinafter, it is preferable thatthey be made of metal. The

cross bars are provided with shoulders I4 formed,

by reduced portions I5 at eachv extremity. The side members 1 and 8 areprovidedwith counter` sunk holes I6 in which the reduced end portions I5are fitted 'and then upset. The cross barv 9 is fitted into the headlI'I so that the ends fitting in the holes I6 may form eyes. `A mane I 8is alsoV paintedy on the side members I and 8.

The hobby-horse is provided with right and left' fore legs Iiirand 2B,respectively, and right and leftv hind legs2I and 22, respectively. Thefore legs are pivoted inside the side members 'I and-'8 on a rod 423,the ends ofwhich connect the sidemembers 'Ifand 8. 4The hind legs arepivoted inside the'side members 'I and 8 on a rod 24, the ends of which`also connectl the side members I and 8. As shownrin Figs. l and 2 thefore legs yare pivoted to the upper portion of the body frame justbelowthe base of the neck, while the hind legs are pivoted to the bodyportion fat their lower thigh portions.

The details of construction whereby the legs are pivoted to thebody'frame are shownin Figs. Sand 4. '"Inasmuch as the means forpivoting the forelegs I8 and 20 on the rod 23 and for pivoting'thef'hind legs 2l and 22 on the rod 24 -are identical, 'it is deemedsufficient to show the details of only one pivoting, that of hind'1eg'2-I as shown in Fig. 4. y y

To this 4end the rod 24, preferably of metal tubing, is externallythreaded,land passes through a hole drilled in the side'member 8 to t aflangev 25.011 the outer face of the sidejmember'. The' the right v lilange 2,5 is provided with an integral boss 26. Fig. 3 is a view inplan of the Vlhobby-horsey As shown in Fig. 4 the end of the shaftj24 ts`flush with; the end of the boss 26.3' The rflange 25 isv` lsecured tothe side members, by means of screws 2l. 'The rod'2llalso` passeskthrough the pivot hole 28k 0f the leg2I. Fbrminga bearing for the: leg`2I upon the rod 24 is an' internally vsmooth,rbossed flange 29, whichis secured to the leg 2I b-y means of screws 30. It will be seen in Fig.4 that the pivot hole' 28 of Atheleg 2| has a diameter greater than thein-l ternal diameter ofthe flange 29 to the end that the leg may notcontact the rod 24 and thus be subjected to Wear. y f

In terms of mechanics, lthe embodiment of the present'inventioncomprises'afour bar linkage lever system, the paired fore legs I 9 and20 constituting one lever and the paired hind legs 2| and 22`constituting the other lever. The body rframe constitutes one link ofthe'system, and to complete the linkage, the leftfore and hind legs areconnected pivotally by means'of `a. link 30, While` the right fore andhind legs' are connected pivotally by means of a link 3-I. The forwardends of the links 3i! and 3| are pivoted on an'end threaded rod32,'while the rearward ends of the links and 3| are pivoted on an endthreaded rod 33. As the method of pivoting is identical for all fourlink ends, only one will be desribed, that for pivoting the link 3| tothe right hind leg 2 I, as shown in Fig. 5.

To this end the leg 2| is provided on its inner face with an internallythreaded bossed flange 34 secured thereto by means of screws 35. Fittedinto the ange 34 and abutting the inner face of the leg 2| is the rod33. The end ofthe link 3| is provided with a pivot hole 36 in which isinserted a bushing 31 to form a bearing for the link 3| on the rod 33.The link 3| is held adjacent the flange 34 by means of a cross pin 38secured to the rod 33 by means of.` a set screw 38.

As shown in Figs. l and 2 the forward ends of the links 30 and 3| arepivoted to the fore legs at a point below the rod 23, and the rearwardends of the links 30 and 3| are pivoted to the hind legs at a pointabove the rod 24.

It has been pointed out that the cross bars I0, II, I2, and I3 alsoserve as stops, limiting the movement of the legs. As shown in Fig. 1the cross bars I0 and I2 limit the movement of the fore and hind legs,respectively, in one position during operation, while, as shown in Fig.2, the crossbars II and I3 limit the movement of the fore and hind legs,respectively, in an opposite position during operation. 'Ihe stops, ofcourse, are a necessary element in the pivoted construction shown, forwithout a limiting of the movement of the legs no stability could beachieved.

To aid in operating the lever constituted by the pivoted fore legs |9and 2D, they are provided with integral extensions 40 and 4|,respectively, projecting above the side members 1 and 8. The ends of theextensions 40 and 4| are drilled to allow the passage therethrough of ahorizontal handle bar 42. As shown in Fig. 3, lpreferably the handle bar42 extends exteriorlyof the eX- tensions 40 and 4|, butsuchlconstruction is not essential. y

The fore legs I9 and 20 are provided (Fig. 3)l

l with foot rests 45 and 46, respectively, which may be adjusted toadapt them to the length of the turn abuts the leg 20 interiorlythereof.r The foot` rests, being squared, are threaded along their edgesas shown at 5|. A washer 52 abuts the leg 20 exteriorly, and the nut 53is threaded on the foot rest 46 to hold the parts rigidly. The

` construction for securing the foot rest 45 to the leg I9 is identical.`In this way a rm support is afforded the riders feet, and thefore legsare braced, yet the supports can be adjusted vertically.y

The present invention is provided with a saddle 43 which may beof woodor any suitable construction. The legs are provided with rubber hoofs 54which absorb any shock, and the body portion is provided with tailmembers 55. The extensions 40 and 4| carry a cross bar 51, andthe sidemembers 1 and 8 carry another cross bar 58.' As best shown in Fig. 3,springs 59 connect the cross bars 51 and 58 on either side of the bodyof the hobby-horse. As the springs 59 play an important part in theoperation of the present invention, the cross bars 51 and 58 should beso positioned that the springs do not buckle on the saddle 43.

Viewing Fig. 3, it is clear that the elements so far describedconstitute a stable mechanism. The side members 1 and 8 are held spacedapart by the cross bars 9, I0, II, I2, and I3. The links 3U and 3| areheld spaced apart on the rods 32 and 33 by means of the cross pins 38.Positioned between the side frames 1 and 8 and the links 33 and 3|,respectively, are the legs, and the spacing of the links 3U and 3| fromthe side frames 1 and 8, respectively, prevents side play by the legs.The fore legs are given further stability by the spacing aiforded by thehandle bar 42 and the shouldered foot rest rod 44, and the cross barsI0, |I, I2, and I3, besides bracing the body portion, limit the movementof the legs, thereby enabling the hobby-horse to stand and be ridden.

In the operation of the hobby-horse, the rider mounts thesaddle 43,places his feet on the foot rests 45 and 46, and grasps the handle bar42. Let it be assumed that when a mounting is made, the hobby-horse isin the positionshown in Fig. l. The riders rst object is to take hisweight from the rear legs so that they may be lifted from the ground.Toaccomplish 4this, the rider thrusts his body forward so that hisweight is borne by the foot rests 45 and 46.` As a result of thisforward thrust, the fore legs I9 and 2U are tilted forward, rocking onthe hoofs and finally assuming the position shown in Fig. 2. This actioncauses a stretching of the springs 59 because they are secured to thecross bar 58, and this stretching serves to lift the hind quarters fromthe ground since the riders weight no longer holds them down.

The extent to which the rider thrusts his body forward depends, ofcourse, upon the riders size and weight. That is, the rider must notlean so farforward as to cause the horse to topple over. As in learningto ride a bicycle, the rider must learn by experiment what bodymovements the construction will allow before equilibrium is lost.

Since the fore legs I9 and 2D rock on the hoofs and are tilted forwardwhen the rider thrusts his body forward, the body portion of thehobbyhorse *is thereby swung relatively to the fore legs on the rod 23as shown in Fig. 2, the action carryingthe rod 32 rearward of the rod23. This movement of the rod 32 causes the hind legs 2| and 22, by meansof the links 30 and 3|, to be swung simultaneously and positively on therod 24 in a direction opposite to that of the fore legs I9 and 20. Themovement of the legs is limited by the cross bars II and I3. It is to benoted that the springs 59 do not serve to move the hind legs 2| and 22,as the links 30 and 3| entirely control such movement. The springs 59merely facilitate the action of the links.

It has been pointed out that when the rider thrusts his body forward,the springs 59 lift the hind quarters from the ground. It is clear,however, since this forward thrust is not so great as to cause the horseand rider to topple over, that when the force of the thrust is spent,the hind legs must drop in contact with the ground. This dropping occursat the end of the forward movement ofthe riders body, and at this momentthe hobby-horse assumes the position shown in Fig. 2. When this positionis reached, the rider then thrusts his body rearward, resting it almostentirely upon the hind legs, inertia thereby taking the fore legs 01Tthe ground as the hind legs rock stitute a lever of the second class.

on the hoofs, At the same time therider both pulls rearwardly on thehandle bar 42 and pushes forwardly with his feet on the foot rests 45and 45..' This combined movement causes the fore legs I8 and 2vto swingforward on the rod 23, and this movement necessarily brings forward, therod32 carrying the forward ends of the links 36 and 3 I. The rod 33,carrying the rear ends of thelinks 30 and 3l, is thereby drawnforwardpositively. This action serves to swing the hind legs uponthe rod24, which action, because the f orewlegrs Hare out of contact with theground, serves to drive the hobby-horse forward the eX- tent of onepaef'alld when the force of the inertia raisingthe fore legs-has beenspent, the fore legs again contact the ground, thereby completing thepace.

As is the case when the rider leans forward, the rearward movement ofthe riders body must not be sogreat as to cause both hobby-horse andrider to. lose their equilibrium.

As the fore legs again make ground contact, the rider thrusts his bodyforward so that he once more supports his weight-on the foot rests 45and 46. This forward `movement causes a combined movement of the forelegs and of the body portion relative to them, so that the hind legsrare preparedv for the next forward pace, and the cyclev of movement isrecommenced. In this way, by the rider thrusting his body forward andrearward alternately, the hobby-horse can be made to travel over theground. v

A pace of about two feet can be achieved in a construction built forchildren of the ages from seven to twelve. The length of the pace may bevaried by the rider, however, by notvmoving the handle bar 42 vthe fulldistance permitted by the stops lil, II, I2, and I3.

It has been pointed out that the structure described constitutesmechanically a four bar linkage lever system, the fore legs I9 and 20being one lever, and the hind legs 2| and 22 being the other. The links3U and 3I, operating in unison, form one link of the system, and thebody portion, because it is pivoted to the legs, forms the other link ofthe system. The elements of this system are well illustrated in Figs. 1and 2, showing the leg pivot rods 23 and 24 positioned above and belowthe link pivot rodsy 32 and 33, respectively. With such a construction,and with the cross bars IIJ, II, I2, and I3. cooperating there- 'with asstops, the links30 and 3I are never in a position parallel with theplane of the hoofs so as to come to a dead center rendering thehobby-horse inoperative. Stated in another way, the link pivot rods 32and 33 are never equally distant from the plane of the hoofs in theoperation of the hobby-horse, nor are the leg pivot rods 23 and 24 everequally distant from the plane of the hoofs.

It will be seen from Fig. 1 that as the rider throws his body forwardand the hind legs are taken olf the ground, the fore legs I9 and 2i!consay, the fulcrum is at the point of contact of the hoofs with theground, the power application point is at the handlebar 42, and theresistance is at the pivot rods 23 and 32. At the same time, the hindlegs ZI and 22 constitute a lever of the nrst class, the fulcrum beingthe pivot rod 24, the power application point being atthe pivot rod 33,and the resistance being the weight of the hind legs. Conversely whenthe rider throws his body rearward and pulls rearwardly on the handlebar42, the hind legs 2I and 22 constitute a That is to lever ofthe secondclass,v the fulcrum 'being at the pointwhere -the hoofs contactthefgr'ound, the power Aapplica-tion point being atthe pivot rod 3,3,and the resistancebeingat the pivot rod 24. At the same time ,the forelegs, being off the ground, constitute a lever of the, first class, thefulcrum being the pivot rod U23, ,the power application point being thehandlebar 42, and the resistance being the Weight of the fore legs andthe pull on the Apivot rod 32. i Y

It will also be seen from Fig. 1 thatthe pivot rod 33 is forward of vthepivot rod 24 atthe end of the rearward movementr of the riders body,

and fromv Fig-2 that the pivot rod 33 is Arearward,

in as being provided with two body members spaced apart by cross bars.While such a, construction is well adapted for a childs hobbyhorse, itis clear that the lever principle upon which the present inventionoperates is not dependent upon such a framework. The described pivotingof the legs and links and their mode of operation may be achieved aswell in an enclosed body with a single head member as in a body frame ofthe nature described. Further, it is not necessary that two links beused either in an enclosed body or in one of the nature described, sinceone link connected yto the fore and hind legs could' be substituted forthe two links disclosed which act as a unit. Neither is it necessarythat the pivot rods be positioned relatively to each other in theprecise manner described,- since a different relationship would notchange the lever r principle nor in any way affect the simultaneousmovement of the legs. It will also be clear to those skilled in the art,and with the general objects of the present invention in view, thatother changes may be made in the details of structure, the described andillustrated embodiment thereof being intended as an exploitation ofthe'underlying essentials of the present invention, the features ofwhich are definitely stated in their true scope in the claims presentedherewith.

What is claimed as new, is:

1. In a hobby-horse capable of forward movement, the combination with'abody portion and fore and hind legs carried thereby and connectedtogether for movement simultaneously in opposite directions as the riderthrusts his body forward lor rearward, said fore legs being providedwith extensions connected together to form a hand lever for the rider,of a resilient connection between the hand'lever and the body portionfor facilitating the movement of the hind legs as the rider thrusts hisbody forward.

2. A' hobby-horse capable of forward movement having, in combination, abody'DOrtion, fore and hind legs pivoted thereto and linked together oneach side of the body portion, respectively, for simultaneous movementin opposite directions, the fore legs being pivoted yto the body portionabove the link connections with the fore legs, the hind legs beingpivoted to the body portion below the link connections with the hindlegs, and the fore legs being provided with extensions conment having,in combination, a body portion, and y fore and hind legspivoted theretoand linked together on each side of the body portion, respectively, forsimultaneous movement in opposite directions, the fore legs beingpivoted to the body portion above the link connections with the forelegs, the hind legs being pivoted to the body portion below the linkconnections with the hind legs, and the fore legs being provided withextensions connected together to form al hand lever for the rider, aresilient connection between the hand lever and the body portion, andground engaging hoof portions bodily secured to the legs.

4. A hobby-horse capable of forward movement having, in combination, abody portion, fore and hind legs carried thereby and linked together oneach side of the body portion, respectively, said fore legs beingprovided with extensions connected together to form a hand lever for therider, a resilient connection between the hand lever and the bodyportion, and ground engaging hoof portions bodily secured to the legs.

5. In a. hobby-horse capable of forward movement, the combination with abody portion, fore and hind legs pivoted thereto, and links connectingthe fore and hind legs on each side of the body portion, respectively,said fore legs being provided With extensions connected together to forma hand lever for the rider, of a resilient connection between'tl'ie handlever and the body portion.

FRANK G. DENNISON.

